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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:59 pm
Post subject: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:59 pm
Post subject: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Can you tell which one is the Helios? Very Happy



















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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:03 pm
Post subject: Re: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:03 pm
Post subject: Re: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Nordentro wrote:
Can you tell which one is the Helios? Very Happy

Aren't they both the same lens?


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:13 pm
Post subject: Re: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:13 pm
Post subject: Re: Cyclop vs Helios 40
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ducdao wrote:
Nordentro wrote:
Can you tell which one is the Helios? Very Happy

Aren't they both the same lens?


They say so about Helios 40-2 (black), but this comment make me doubt: Wink

Papapishu wrote:

Also, I actually emailed the maker, ROMZ regarding the lens design. I asked if it was at all related to the Helios 40-2. He wrote the following:

Dear Mr. Person,

No. These is two different objectives lens are not connected on the design.
I direct to you our catalogue of production. Probably will be interest for you something.
Best regards,

Sergey Protosavitskiy,
General director


Comparison pics:





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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 2:14 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 2:14 pm
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I'll say the first picture in every set is the Helios, although it's very hard to tell any difference.


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:20 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:20 pm
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woodrim wrote:
I'll say the first picture in every set is the Helios, although it's very hard to tell any difference.


2,4,6 & 7 is the Helios 40! Very Happy

But I agree, it's difficult to see any difference.

A few lines of my impression consider the IQ:

1. Helios 40 is Warmer than Cyclop (Helios 40-2 may be cooler)

2. Seeing them 100%, Helios 40 is slightly sharper than the Cyclop

3. Cyclop has little less purple fringing. Newer lens = better coating?!?

Very Happy


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 5:31 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 5:31 pm
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Okay, so I had one right, but it wasn't the one I was most confident about. There was only one where I thought I saw something - the beer bottle shot; there was more flare/ghosting on the label on the second bottle picture, so I assumed it was the Cyclop.

This comparison would more support the similarities of the two lenses than dispel any rumors of them being the same formula. Can you tell anything by looking into the lenses? Really appreciate you sharing this comparison, thanks.


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:25 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:25 pm
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woodrim wrote:
Okay, so I had one right, but it wasn't the one I was most confident about. There was only one where I thought I saw something - the beer bottle shot; there was more flare/ghosting on the label on the second bottle picture, so I assumed it was the Cyclop.

This comparison would more support the similarities of the two lenses than dispel any rumors of them being the same formula. Can you tell anything by looking into the lenses? Really appreciate you sharing this comparison, thanks.


They look very similar inside too Wink



I have a small impurity in the front element of my Cyclop, and as mentioned before by other member in the "monster thread" this is probably "second class" glass from Helios 40 production.

And as a former glass blower for 7 years in my youth I know there can occur bubbles, tiny stones and metal pieces in the glass melting process. Wink


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:39 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:39 pm
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I see 6 reflections within the lens:
The top two are very close.


Perhaps a little clearer is a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQtm6dUVjec


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:09 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:09 pm
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I had several times Helios-40-2 which is Cyclop and I had always Helios-40 I always sold Helios-40-2 lenses I didn't see much difference and I kept cheaper ones. Finally I got a really old Helios -40 8,5cm with low serial 00..230 or something I found this was best to me from all.


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:42 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:42 pm
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The first (silver) version of Helios-40 has slightly warm colors, so my guess is that 2nd shots in each pair are from the Helios.


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:55 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:55 pm
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No, but your Hoegaarden bottles surprise me ... must be export models.


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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:34 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:34 pm
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eeyore_nl wrote:
No, but your Hoegaarden bottles surprise me ... must be export models.


Yes, one of my favorite beer Smile


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:31 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:31 am
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blende8 wrote:
I see 6 reflections within the lens:
The top two are very close.


Perhaps a little clearer is a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQtm6dUVjec


Nice video! Very Happy


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:33 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:33 am
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Attila wrote:
I had several times Helios-40-2 which is Cyclop and I had always Helios-40 I always sold Helios-40-2 lenses I didn't see much difference and I kept cheaper ones. Finally I got a really old Helios -40 8,5cm with low serial 00..230 or something I found this was best to me from all.


Helios 40-2 always seems to go for a slightly higher price, but why?


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:08 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:08 am
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Nordentro wrote:
Helios 40-2 always seems to go for a slightly higher price, but why?


Newer (better chances to get in better condition), better coating (neutral color balance, less flare, physically stronger and more scratch and cleaning resistant), native M42 mount (no infinity problems with adapters). Looks cool on black dSLR's Smile Enough reasons, eh?


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:43 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:43 am
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Nordentro wrote:
Nice video! Very Happy

Perhaps you can do the same with the Helios 40 to check if they share the same design.


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:14 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:14 am
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They probably won't be distinguishable on a film, especially B&W Very Happy.


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:31 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:31 pm
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blende8 wrote:
Nordentro wrote:
Nice video! Very Happy

Perhaps you can do the same with the Helios 40 to check if they share the same design.


Reflections looks pretty similar to my eyes Very Happy


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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:16 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:16 pm
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Nordentro wrote:
Reflections looks pretty similar to my eyes Very Happy

Thank you for the test!
This confirms that they share the same design.
Differences can only be marginal.


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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:50 am
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:50 am
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blende8 wrote:
Nordentro wrote:
Reflections looks pretty similar to my eyes Very Happy

Thank you for the test!
This confirms that they share the same design.
Differences can only be marginal.


Definitively!

This makes the Cyclop a real bargain for the price you can get one for Very Happy


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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:06 am
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:06 am
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Nordentro wrote:
Definitively!

This makes the Cyclop a real bargain for the price you can get one for Very Happy


Now to figure out how to install an internal diaphragm.


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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:57 am
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:57 am
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woodrim wrote:
Nordentro wrote:
Definitively!

This makes the Cyclop a real bargain for the price you can get one for Very Happy


Now to figure out how to install an internal diaphragm.

Waterhouse stops in a slot? It worked for years before fancy diaphragms.


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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 1:20 am
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 1:20 am
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That might do it. I'll have to examine mine to see if there's a place where a slot can be machined - where there is a void without glass. I suppose near the rear since the focusing sleeve covers the front 2/3. The rear element is very easy to remove, so I'll take a look again. Good idea, thanks.


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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:46 pm
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:46 pm
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For what i can see, the bokeh in the Helios 40-2 looks more define than the Cyclops... look at photo 1 and 2.


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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:09 pm
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:09 pm
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Interesting, i have a silver Helios too, but with the tripod collar, which i removed. Serial is 642117.

Tomas
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